Previous GeneCards Identifiers for CHRNA2 Gene

Summaries for CHRNA2 Gene

Entrez Gene Summary for CHRNA2 Gene

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated ion channels formed by a pentameric arrangement of alpha and beta subunits to create distinct muscle and neuronal receptors. Neuronal receptors are found throughout the peripheral and central nervous system where they are involved in fast synaptic transmission. This gene encodes an alpha subunit that is widely expressed in the brain. The proposed structure for nAChR subunits is a conserved N-terminal extracellular domain followed by three conserved transmembrane domains, a variable cytoplasmic loop, a fourth conserved transmembrane domain, and a short C-terminal extracellular region. Mutations in this gene cause autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy type 4. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this gene have been associated with nicotine dependence. [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2009]

Protein details for CHRNA2 Gene (UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot)

Protein attributes for CHRNA2 Gene

Size:

529 amino acids

Molecular mass:

59765 Da

Quaternary structure:

Neuronal AChR seems to be composed of two different types of subunits: alpha and non-alpha (beta). Alpha-2 subunit can be combined to beta-2 or beta-4 to give rise to functional receptors. The alpha-2:beta-2 nAChR complex is proposed to be a heteropentamer with two subtypes: LS (low agonist sensitivity) with a (alpha-2)3:(beta-2)2 and HS (high agonist sensitivity) with a (alpha-2)2:(beta-2)3 stoichiometry; the subtypes differ in their subunit binding interfaces which are involved in ligand binding.